6MT or PDK? What's the perfect 981 Cayman?

455bhp · 12-10-2023, 02:34 PM

Hi all,

I drove three similar 981 Caymans and I think I'm homing in on my perfect 981 Cayman build.

First I drove a 2014 Cayman S with the PDK automatic gearbox and the x73 sports suspension. That car had amazing chassis feedback and handling, but it definitely beat me up with its firm ride. And it was low enough that it would scrape on driveways, which made it harder to use in town.

Then I drove two 2015 Cayman GTSes back-to-back.(My write-up of that fun is here.) One had a 6MT with the PASM adjustable suspension and the other was a PDK with PASM and PTV torque vectoring.

The PASM suspension definitely resolves the x73 suspension's firm ride and too low stance. PASM is so comfortable and completely dailyable! But, the PASM suspension is missing so much of the road feedback from the x73. I felt much less connected in the PASM cars.

And when it comes to 6MT vs PDK, I prefer the 6MT because it is one of the tightest and smoothest manuals I've rowed, but that long second gear (83 mph at the redline) is ridiculous. The PDK is better geared and would be my pick for track driving so I could focus on my line rather than my footwork.

After all these drives I think I'd suffer with the x73 sports suspension for sublime poise and feedback and take the 6MT for maximally satisfying shifts. Sports Chrono, PTV, and the 18-way seats are must-haves, too. I didn't notice the 15hp difference between the S and GTS motors, so I could take either option.

What's your perfect spec for a 981 Cayman?

Best,
Mike

CalgaryZL1 · 12-10-2023, 02:49 PM

https://rennlist.com/forums/

Spaceme1117 · 12-10-2023, 03:14 PM

Definitely a manual Camaro is the only correct answer.

arpad_m · 12-10-2023, 03:47 PM

EIther the 2SS 1LE if you want magnetic ride control, or the ZL1 1LE if you want maximum road feedback.

Gen6cyl · 12-10-2023, 08:03 PM

The lt1 manual goes 80 mph in second gear. I agree it feels ridiculous. One reason I like the v6 manual. The only reason to get a manual is because you like it and have to have it.

455bhp · 12-11-2023, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CalgaryZL1

https://rennlist.com/forums/

Absolutely fair.

455bhp · 12-11-2023, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gen6cyl

The lt1 manual goes 80 mph in second gear. I agree it feels ridiculous. One reason I like the v6 manual. The only reason to get a manual is because you like it and have to have it.

Yeah, I think the Camaro 6MT would be more fun with a shorter second gear, too.

Dabjbr · 12-12-2023, 09:39 AM

I don’t mind you posting here. I enjoy your reviews, particularly because I find myself considering adding a Cayman/Boxster to my fleet.

I really would like you to review a B/C GTS 2.5. My gut tells me that might be your perfect car. Yes, you lose that flat 6 sound but you’ll gain that low down torque. So even if you find yourself short shifting, you’ll still have get up and go.

Something to consider!

SSEssence · 12-12-2023, 09:52 AM

Get the manual before they are all gone.

CTRifecta · 12-12-2023, 11:05 AM

6MT

ZPirate · 12-12-2023, 12:55 PM

Definitely a manual for any sports car. Save the Manuals!

Modern automatics and dual clutch transmissions may shift faster, but nothing connects the driver to the car like a manual does.

Carzzy · 12-12-2023, 01:32 PM

Dual Clutch Transmissions do everything well! However, for me they are on the boring side with regards to the fun factor in the driving experience.
I recently traded my '23 Corvette C8 70th Anniversary Coupe for a '24 Camaro 2SS 6 speed Convertible because of this reason. The Vette was great and did everything well but I really missed the manual transmission!

CalgaryZL1 · 12-12-2023, 03:41 PM

My auto is a god send with bad knees after a life of skiing, dirt biking, chosen profession and family genetics, my GEN five was a manual, I loved it but my knees didn’t.

455bhp · 12-20-2023, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dabjbr

I don’t mind you posting here. I enjoy your reviews, particularly because I find myself considering adding a Cayman/Boxster to my fleet.

I really would like you to review a B/C GTS 2.5. My gut tells me that might be your perfect car. Yes, you lose that flat 6 sound but you’ll gain that low down torque. So even if you find yourself short shifting, you’ll still have get up and go.

Something to consider!

Thanks for the kind words. I did drive the 4-banger GTS once, and while the steering and chassis were an improvement over the 981, I couldn't get over the strange engine sounds.

12-10-2023, 02:34 PM	#1
455bhp Drives: 2014 CTS-V Wagon Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: CA Posts: 36	6MT or PDK? What's the perfect 981 Cayman? Hi all, I drove three similar 981 Caymans and I think I'm homing in on my perfect 981 Cayman build. First I drove a 2014 Cayman S with the PDK automatic gearbox and the x73 sports suspension. That car had amazing chassis feedback and handling, but it definitely beat me up with its firm ride. And it was low enough that it would scrape on driveways, which made it harder to use in town. Then I drove two 2015 Cayman GTSes back-to-back.(My write-up of that fun is here.) One had a 6MT with the PASM adjustable suspension and the other was a PDK with PASM and PTV torque vectoring. The PASM suspension definitely resolves the x73 suspension's firm ride and too low stance. PASM is so comfortable and completely dailyable! But, the PASM suspension is missing so much of the road feedback from the x73. I felt much less connected in the PASM cars. And when it comes to 6MT vs PDK, I prefer the 6MT because it is one of the tightest and smoothest manuals I've rowed, but that long second gear (83 mph at the redline) is ridiculous. The PDK is better geared and would be my pick for track driving so I could focus on my line rather than my footwork. After all these drives I think I'd suffer with the x73 sports suspension for sublime poise and feedback and take the 6MT for maximally satisfying shifts. Sports Chrono, PTV, and the 18-way seats are must-haves, too. I didn't notice the 15hp difference between the S and GTS motors, so I could take either option. What's your perfect spec for a 981 Cayman? Best, Mike __________________ My blog: mikessteeringcolumn.wordpress.com

12-10-2023, 03:47 PM	#4
arpad_m Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 11,616 View My Garage	EIther the 2SS 1LE if you want magnetic ride control, or the ZL1 1LE if you want maximum road feedback. __________________ 2018 Camaro 2SS — G7E MX0 NPP F55 IO6 735 rwhp \| 665 rwtq Magnuson TVS 2300 80mm pulley \| Kooks 1 7/8" LT headers \| JRE smooth idle terminator cam \| LT4 FS & injectors \| TSP forged pistons & rods JMS PowerMAX \| DSX flex fuel kit \| Roto-Fab CAI \| Soler 95mm LT5 TB \| 1LE wheels \| 1LE brakes \| BMR rear cradle lockout \| JRE custom tune 1100 - 1/30/18 \| 2000 - 1/31/18 3000 - 2/06/18 TPW 2/26/18 3400 - 2/19/18 \| 3800 - 2/26/18 4300 - 2/27/18 \| 4B00 - 3/01/18 4200 - 3/05/18 \| 4800 - 3/14/18 5000 - 3/16/18 \| 6000 - 3/19/18

12-10-2023, 08:03 PM	#5
Gen6cyl Drives: Chevy Camaro 2021 ,rs, v6, manual Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Georgia Posts: 868	The lt1 manual goes 80 mph in second gear. I agree it feels ridiculous. One reason I like the v6 manual. The only reason to get a manual is because you like it and have to have it. __________________ B6 dampers, x pipe, mbrp axel back

12-12-2023, 09:52 AM	#9
SSEssence Instagram: Sangstah Drives: 2019 Camaro 1LE Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Buena Park, CA. Posts: 2,803 View My Garage	Get the manual before they are all gone. __________________ 2019 SS 1LE - "CaSSandra" 2014 SS - "AleSSandra - Sold" 94 Z28 - Sold Follow the build https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=612717

12-12-2023, 11:05 AM	#10
CTRifecta Drives: 2SS 1LE Join Date: Jul 2023 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 320	6MT __________________ 2024 2SS 1LE \| 6MT \| Riverside Blue 1100 - Order submitted - 7/12/23 2000 - Order accepted - 8/22/23 Vehicle Built (per chevy chat bot) - 10/10/23 Window sticker available online - 11/4/23 Arrived at dealership - 11/10/23

12-10-2023, 02:49 PM	#2
CalgaryZL1 Drives: 2020 Chevy Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: Calgary Canada Posts: 1,483	https://rennlist.com/forums/

12-10-2023, 03:14 PM	#3
Spaceme1117 Drives: 2017 Camaro SS, 2011 Corvette GS Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Erlanger, Kentucky 41018 Posts: 815	Definitely a manual Camaro is the only correct answer.

12-12-2023, 09:39 AM	#8
Dabjbr Drives: 2020 SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: NorCal Posts: 658	I don’t mind you posting here. I enjoy your reviews, particularly because I find myself considering adding a Cayman/Boxster to my fleet. I really would like you to review a B/C GTS 2.5. My gut tells me that might be your perfect car. Yes, you lose that flat 6 sound but you’ll gain that low down torque. So even if you find yourself short shifting, you’ll still have get up and go. Something to consider!

12-12-2023, 12:55 PM	#11
ZPirate Drives: 2023 Summit White Camaro ZL1 M6 Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,762	Definitely a manual for any sports car. Save the Manuals! Modern automatics and dual clutch transmissions may shift faster, but nothing connects the driver to the car like a manual does. __________________ 2023 Summit White ZL1 M6 (delivered 10/15/23) 2019 Dodge Durango R/T (daily driver) 2003 Nissan 350Z (modified) 2022 Rapid Blue 1SS 1LE M6 (delivered 2/19/22) (Sold) 2009 BMW 135i (Sold)

12-12-2023, 01:32 PM	#12
Carzzy Drives: '24 Camaro 2SS Conv. & '21Blazer Join Date: May 2011 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 517 View My Garage	Dual Clutch Transmissions do everything well! However, for me they are on the boring side with regards to the fun factor in the driving experience. I recently traded my '23 Corvette C8 70th Anniversary Coupe for a '24 Camaro 2SS 6 speed Convertible because of this reason. The Vette was great and did everything well but I really missed the manual transmission! __________________ '24 Camaro 2SS 6M Convertible

12-12-2023, 03:41 PM	#13
CalgaryZL1 Drives: 2020 Chevy Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: Calgary Canada Posts: 1,483	My auto is a god send with bad knees after a life of skiing, dirt biking, chosen profession and family genetics, my GEN five was a manual, I loved it but my knees didn’t.

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